More From OPI La Collection De France

Now that the weather has taken a serious plunge towards the dreary and right before I go back to holiday reds, the mood calls for something different.

Enter OPI's La Collection De France for fall-winter 2008. I've already talked about Tickle Me France-y, an elegant nude which was my transitional color. Now we go for the serious stuff:
Parlez-Vous OPI? and You Don't Know Jacques!


Both looked on the scary side when they first came out several months ago, but even back then their beauty was apparent. Parlez-Vous is a smoky violet, cool and aloof. I can't stop looking at my nails when wearing it because it's just that different from anything else I own and wear. I was worried about the color clashing with my olive skin, but it works surprisingly well. Two coats got me bottle-perfect depth and coverage.

You Don't Know Jacques looked even more intimidating. In the bottle it is a dark taupe with strong gray roots, but on the nail (mine, at least), it actually has more brown and is a lot easier to wear than I ever expected. It's a melancholy color and works best on those days the sun is nowhere to be found. The look is elegant and not goth at all, quite suitable for most workplaces, as long as you keep your nails short and oblong, to avoid the Morticia vibe.

The quality is what you expect from OPI. A good brush, great coverage, easy to apply and lasts (with the aid of base and top coats) five to six days before the first crack appears.

OPI La Collection De France is available at decent nail salons and from various online sources. I'm pretty sure I got mine through Amazon for about $8.50 each.

Photo: Winter Evening at the Louvre by Rita Crane Photography on flickr

More From OPI La Collection De France

Now that the weather has taken a serious plunge towards the dreary and right before I go back to holiday reds, the mood calls for something different.

Enter OPI's La Collection De France for fall-winter 2008. I've already talked about Tickle Me France-y, an elegant nude which was my transitional color. Now we go for the serious stuff:
Parlez-Vous OPI? and You Don't Know Jacques!


Both looked on the scary side when they first came out several months ago, but even back then their beauty was apparent. Parlez-Vous is a smoky violet, cool and aloof. I can't stop looking at my nails when wearing it because it's just that different from anything else I own and wear. I was worried about the color clashing with my olive skin, but it works surprisingly well. Two coats got me bottle-perfect depth and coverage.

You Don't Know Jacques looked even more intimidating. In the bottle it is a dark taupe with strong gray roots, but on the nail (mine, at least), it actually has more brown and is a lot easier to wear than I ever expected. It's a melancholy color and works best on those days the sun is nowhere to be found. The look is elegant and not goth at all, quite suitable for most workplaces, as long as you keep your nails short and oblong, to avoid the Morticia vibe.

The quality is what you expect from OPI. A good brush, great coverage, easy to apply and lasts (with the aid of base and top coats) five to six days before the first crack appears.

OPI La Collection De France is available at decent nail salons and from various online sources. I'm pretty sure I got mine through Amazon for about $8.50 each.

Photo: Winter Evening at the Louvre by Rita Crane Photography on flickr

More From OPI La Collection De France

Now that the weather has taken a serious plunge towards the dreary and right before I go back to holiday reds, the mood calls for something different.

Enter OPI's La Collection De France for fall-winter 2008. I've already talked about Tickle Me France-y, an elegant nude which was my transitional color. Now we go for the serious stuff:
Parlez-Vous OPI? and You Don't Know Jacques!


Both looked on the scary side when they first came out several months ago, but even back then their beauty was apparent. Parlez-Vous is a smoky violet, cool and aloof. I can't stop looking at my nails when wearing it because it's just that different from anything else I own and wear. I was worried about the color clashing with my olive skin, but it works surprisingly well. Two coats got me bottle-perfect depth and coverage.

You Don't Know Jacques looked even more intimidating. In the bottle it is a dark taupe with strong gray roots, but on the nail (mine, at least), it actually has more brown and is a lot easier to wear than I ever expected. It's a melancholy color and works best on those days the sun is nowhere to be found. The look is elegant and not goth at all, quite suitable for most workplaces, as long as you keep your nails short and oblong, to avoid the Morticia vibe.

The quality is what you expect from OPI. A good brush, great coverage, easy to apply and lasts (with the aid of base and top coats) five to six days before the first crack appears.

OPI La Collection De France is available at decent nail salons and from various online sources. I'm pretty sure I got mine through Amazon for about $8.50 each.

Photo: Winter Evening at the Louvre by Rita Crane Photography on flickr

Chanel Kaleidoscope Nail Polish

I was sniffing perfume at Bergdorf's Chanel counter (basically, reminding myself how much the Exclusif line with its family-size bottles of too weak juice annoys me), when the SA noticed my nail polish, Chanel Kaleidoscope. It's quite recognizable, and hard to miss.

Most of the bottle images and swatches you see online look more silvery and on the cool side of things. It's just how it photographs, as I discovered myself. But Kaleidoscope isn't silver, gray or even taupe. The best I can describe it is as a very light metallic khaki with gold undertones.

Metallics can be tricky to apply without showing every brush stroke. Kaleidoscope is a bit better in this regard, especially when you go for a second coat. The result is quite striking and very shiny, almost mirror-like. The trade off is in the drying time, which is longer than most metallic polishes (and causes me to repeatedly mess up). I use two coats of Essie base, which helps tremendously in spreading the wealth. A top coat is necessary for me, otherwise there's serious chipping and peeling after the third day in the areas that hit the keyboard most.

Chanel Kaleidoscope ($20) is a limited edition for fall 2008. It's still available from most Chanel counters, so please check your local department store before you drop $29-$50 on an eBay auction. I got mine from Neiman's.

Images: mine

Chanel Kaleidoscope Nail Polish

I was sniffing perfume at Bergdorf's Chanel counter (basically, reminding myself how much the Exclusif line with its family-size bottles of too weak juice annoys me), when the SA noticed my nail polish, Chanel Kaleidoscope. It's quite recognizable, and hard to miss.

Most of the bottle images and swatches you see online look more silvery and on the cool side of things. It's just how it photographs, as I discovered myself. But Kaleidoscope isn't silver, gray or even taupe. The best I can describe it is as a very light metallic khaki with gold undertones.

Metallics can be tricky to apply without showing every brush stroke. Kaleidoscope is a bit better in this regard, especially when you go for a second coat. The result is quite striking and very shiny, almost mirror-like. The trade off is in the drying time, which is longer than most metallic polishes (and causes me to repeatedly mess up). I use two coats of Essie base, which helps tremendously in spreading the wealth. A top coat is necessary for me, otherwise there's serious chipping and peeling after the third day in the areas that hit the keyboard most.

Chanel Kaleidoscope ($20) is a limited edition for fall 2008. It's still available from most Chanel counters, so please check your local department store before you drop $29-$50 on an eBay auction. I got mine from Neiman's.

Images: mine

Chanel Kaleidoscope Nail Polish

I was sniffing perfume at Bergdorf's Chanel counter (basically, reminding myself how much the Exclusif line with its family-size bottles of too weak juice annoys me), when the SA noticed my nail polish, Chanel Kaleidoscope. It's quite recognizable, and hard to miss.

Most of the bottle images and swatches you see online look more silvery and on the cool side of things. It's just how it photographs, as I discovered myself. But Kaleidoscope isn't silver, gray or even taupe. The best I can describe it is as a very light metallic khaki with gold undertones.

Metallics can be tricky to apply without showing every brush stroke. Kaleidoscope is a bit better in this regard, especially when you go for a second coat. The result is quite striking and very shiny, almost mirror-like. The trade off is in the drying time, which is longer than most metallic polishes (and causes me to repeatedly mess up). I use two coats of Essie base, which helps tremendously in spreading the wealth. A top coat is necessary for me, otherwise there's serious chipping and peeling after the third day in the areas that hit the keyboard most.

Chanel Kaleidoscope ($20) is a limited edition for fall 2008. It's still available from most Chanel counters, so please check your local department store before you drop $29-$50 on an eBay auction. I got mine from Neiman's.

Images: mine

Chanel Facettes D'Or Powder And All that glitters (Part 1)

A few months ago, when Chanel first introduced their fall 2008 golden collection, I fell in love with it: from the obscenely expensive nail polish to the ambery Glossimer that adds shine and depth to several of my old lipsticks. I wasn't too sure about the golden powder, mostly because I'm not into elaborate highlighting makeup, and couldn't see why I'd need it. But the promise of a "candle-lit, glowing from within" look was just too good to pass, and this was one product I didn't already have in my stash.

Opening the compact and dipping a brush, I got scared of the little golden flecks. They looked too glitter-like for comfort. I don't know about you, but my clubbing day are long behind me and I just can't see myself applying shiny little particles to my face, highlighting or not. But I braved the powder and gave it a try. At first there was definitely glitter. Then I could almost see how the product would melt into the skin, leaving behind a very faint glow. It's much more finely milled than you'd expect from looking at the pressed mound.

The result is a very faint glow, nothing dramatic. The golden particles mostly disappear into the skin, and I can't say I like the idea of them sitting in my pores. It's not the best finishing powder I've ever seen, but it's decent. Not $50 decent, though. It also has a distinct gold/yellow tint that I don't mind, but might not work on the cool-toned.

Personally, I wear it to add something extra to an evening look, but wouldn't attempt it for day, because there's still just enough gold there to make it questionable. Not so much because of age, it's just that I'm not sure that tiny gold flecks were meant to appear for a Sunday brunch or at the office. I'd probably avoid this powder altogether if I had visible wrinkles, since I'd worry about the tiny flecks settling in them, but other than that, this is one of those subtle shimmers that are mostly ageless. It's just not that exciting.

Part 2 will include several other age-appropriate options to add a little shine to our looks.

Chanel Facette D'Or highlighting powder ($50) is a limited edition for fall 2008. Most Chanel Counters still have it in stock. It's available online from Nordstrom.com. I bought mine at my local Saks.

Chanel Facettes D'Or Powder And All that glitters (Part 1)

A few months ago, when Chanel first introduced their fall 2008 golden collection, I fell in love with it: from the obscenely expensive nail polish to the ambery Glossimer that adds shine and depth to several of my old lipsticks. I wasn't too sure about the golden powder, mostly because I'm not into elaborate highlighting makeup, and couldn't see why I'd need it. But the promise of a "candle-lit, glowing from within" look was just too good to pass, and this was one product I didn't already have in my stash.

Opening the compact and dipping a brush, I got scared of the little golden flecks. They looked too glitter-like for comfort. I don't know about you, but my clubbing day are long behind me and I just can't see myself applying shiny little particles to my face, highlighting or not. But I braved the powder and gave it a try. At first there was definitely glitter. Then I could almost see how the product would melt into the skin, leaving behind a very faint glow. It's much more finely milled than you'd expect from looking at the pressed mound.

The result is a very faint glow, nothing dramatic. The golden particles mostly disappear into the skin, and I can't say I like the idea of them sitting in my pores. It's not the best finishing powder I've ever seen, but it's decent. Not $50 decent, though. It also has a distinct gold/yellow tint that I don't mind, but might not work on the cool-toned.

Personally, I wear it to add something extra to an evening look, but wouldn't attempt it for day, because there's still just enough gold there to make it questionable. Not so much because of age, it's just that I'm not sure that tiny gold flecks were meant to appear for a Sunday brunch or at the office. I'd probably avoid this powder altogether if I had visible wrinkles, since I'd worry about the tiny flecks settling in them, but other than that, this is one of those subtle shimmers that are mostly ageless. It's just not that exciting.

Part 2 will include several other age-appropriate options to add a little shine to our looks.

Chanel Facette D'Or highlighting powder ($50) is a limited edition for fall 2008. Most Chanel Counters still have it in stock. It's available online from Nordstrom.com. I bought mine at my local Saks.

Chanel Facettes D'Or Powder And All that glitters (Part 1)

A few months ago, when Chanel first introduced their fall 2008 golden collection, I fell in love with it: from the obscenely expensive nail polish to the ambery Glossimer that adds shine and depth to several of my old lipsticks. I wasn't too sure about the golden powder, mostly because I'm not into elaborate highlighting makeup, and couldn't see why I'd need it. But the promise of a "candle-lit, glowing from within" look was just too good to pass, and this was one product I didn't already have in my stash.

Opening the compact and dipping a brush, I got scared of the little golden flecks. They looked too glitter-like for comfort. I don't know about you, but my clubbing day are long behind me and I just can't see myself applying shiny little particles to my face, highlighting or not. But I braved the powder and gave it a try. At first there was definitely glitter. Then I could almost see how the product would melt into the skin, leaving behind a very faint glow. It's much more finely milled than you'd expect from looking at the pressed mound.

The result is a very faint glow, nothing dramatic. The golden particles mostly disappear into the skin, and I can't say I like the idea of them sitting in my pores. It's not the best finishing powder I've ever seen, but it's decent. Not $50 decent, though. It also has a distinct gold/yellow tint that I don't mind, but might not work on the cool-toned.

Personally, I wear it to add something extra to an evening look, but wouldn't attempt it for day, because there's still just enough gold there to make it questionable. Not so much because of age, it's just that I'm not sure that tiny gold flecks were meant to appear for a Sunday brunch or at the office. I'd probably avoid this powder altogether if I had visible wrinkles, since I'd worry about the tiny flecks settling in them, but other than that, this is one of those subtle shimmers that are mostly ageless. It's just not that exciting.

Part 2 will include several other age-appropriate options to add a little shine to our looks.

Chanel Facette D'Or highlighting powder ($50) is a limited edition for fall 2008. Most Chanel Counters still have it in stock. It's available online from Nordstrom.com. I bought mine at my local Saks.

Reality Check: Chanel Smoky Eye Quad

A couple of months ago, when I first got the sneak peak preview of Chanel's Smoky Eyes eye shadow quad (it was on the annoying promotional mini-site for the Exceptionnel mascara) I got a serious case of coveting. It looked utterly gorgeous.

Last week I got to play with it at my local Bloomingdale's. The compact is, indeed, beautiful (you can see the real-life photos taken by Annie of Blogdorf Goodman here. I'm not yet brave enough to attempt such a move, as the SAs here still give me enough dirty looks when I take my time testing and swatching. Apparently, I'm supposed to whip out my charge card just because they tell me "everyone looooves it"), but I didn't buy it.

Why?

I've always had issues with the smoky eye concept. The combination of a funky skin tone, dark circles and my age is making my first eye makeup priority be "try to look alive". While I use very dark colors on my lids and (upper) lash base because my lids are quite heavy and can use serious shading, I avoid any eye makeup on and under my lower lashes, and I always make sure that the rest of my eye area is "opened up" with a light wash of barely-there color. So my version of the look is the "half smoky" eye, where nothing is smudged downwards. Ever.

Now, the Chanel quad could have been the answer to my problem: all the colors, even the black one, are on the sheer side. The pigment is airy rather than dense, so there's no risk of looking like I just got a shiner. The thing is, what Smoky Eyes lack in pigment they compensate with shimmer. Lots and lots of shimmer. The white color, for example, doesn't show on me at all. It's a translucent base that holds tiny shimmery particles. Very pretty, but unless I was going clubbing or to a holiday party I wouldn't ever wear it. The black and the charcoal were seriously Halloween disco and the silver was pure shiny metal. Pretty, trendy, but not practical if you're me.

I really wanted a version of this look, but one that could actually work with my style and habits.there are several other smokey eye palettes on the market right now, and many, though shimmery, look more wearable than the Chanel (and they cost significantly less) with a better pigment/shimmer ratio. Worth checking: The Red Carpet Look or the Smoky eye quad from Stila, the Grey Eye from Du-Wop, Night Essence from Fresh and Guerlain L'Heure Fumee. I also took a good look at my already existing stash and realized I already have several black, charcoal, gray and silver eye shadows in various textures and finishes. I bet you have some, too (except you, Tom).

What I'm currently missing is a matte medium gray that can create the look for daytime. Bobbi Brown has exactly that: Slate (Steel also looks like a good option). I'd love to hear more suggestions.

Reality Check: Chanel Smoky Eye Quad

A couple of months ago, when I first got the sneak peak preview of Chanel's Smoky Eyes eye shadow quad (it was on the annoying promotional mini-site for the Exceptionnel mascara) I got a serious case of coveting. It looked utterly gorgeous.

Last week I got to play with it at my local Bloomingdale's. The compact is, indeed, beautiful (you can see the real-life photos taken by Annie of Blogdorf Goodman here. I'm not yet brave enough to attempt such a move, as the SAs here still give me enough dirty looks when I take my time testing and swatching. Apparently, I'm supposed to whip out my charge card just because they tell me "everyone looooves it"), but I didn't buy it.

Why?

I've always had issues with the smoky eye concept. The combination of a funky skin tone, dark circles and my age is making my first eye makeup priority be "try to look alive". While I use very dark colors on my lids and (upper) lash base because my lids are quite heavy and can use serious shading, I avoid any eye makeup on and under my lower lashes, and I always make sure that the rest of my eye area is "opened up" with a light wash of barely-there color. So my version of the look is the "half smoky" eye, where nothing is smudged downwards. Ever.

Now, the Chanel quad could have been the answer to my problem: all the colors, even the black one, are on the sheer side. The pigment is airy rather than dense, so there's no risk of looking like I just got a shiner. The thing is, what Smoky Eyes lack in pigment they compensate with shimmer. Lots and lots of shimmer. The white color, for example, doesn't show on me at all. It's a translucent base that holds tiny shimmery particles. Very pretty, but unless I was going clubbing or to a holiday party I wouldn't ever wear it. The black and the charcoal were seriously Halloween disco and the silver was pure shiny metal. Pretty, trendy, but not practical if you're me.

I really wanted a version of this look, but one that could actually work with my style and habits.there are several other smokey eye palettes on the market right now, and many, though shimmery, look more wearable than the Chanel (and they cost significantly less) with a better pigment/shimmer ratio. Worth checking: The Red Carpet Look or the Smoky eye quad from Stila, the Grey Eye from Du-Wop, Night Essence from Fresh and Guerlain L'Heure Fumee. I also took a good look at my already existing stash and realized I already have several black, charcoal, gray and silver eye shadows in various textures and finishes. I bet you have some, too (except you, Tom).

What I'm currently missing is a matte medium gray that can create the look for daytime. Bobbi Brown has exactly that: Slate (Steel also looks like a good option). I'd love to hear more suggestions.

Reality Check: Chanel Smoky Eye Quad

A couple of months ago, when I first got the sneak peak preview of Chanel's Smoky Eyes eye shadow quad (it was on the annoying promotional mini-site for the Exceptionnel mascara) I got a serious case of coveting. It looked utterly gorgeous.

Last week I got to play with it at my local Bloomingdale's. The compact is, indeed, beautiful (you can see the real-life photos taken by Annie of Blogdorf Goodman here. I'm not yet brave enough to attempt such a move, as the SAs here still give me enough dirty looks when I take my time testing and swatching. Apparently, I'm supposed to whip out my charge card just because they tell me "everyone looooves it"), but I didn't buy it.

Why?

I've always had issues with the smoky eye concept. The combination of a funky skin tone, dark circles and my age is making my first eye makeup priority be "try to look alive". While I use very dark colors on my lids and (upper) lash base because my lids are quite heavy and can use serious shading, I avoid any eye makeup on and under my lower lashes, and I always make sure that the rest of my eye area is "opened up" with a light wash of barely-there color. So my version of the look is the "half smoky" eye, where nothing is smudged downwards. Ever.

Now, the Chanel quad could have been the answer to my problem: all the colors, even the black one, are on the sheer side. The pigment is airy rather than dense, so there's no risk of looking like I just got a shiner. The thing is, what Smoky Eyes lack in pigment they compensate with shimmer. Lots and lots of shimmer. The white color, for example, doesn't show on me at all. It's a translucent base that holds tiny shimmery particles. Very pretty, but unless I was going clubbing or to a holiday party I wouldn't ever wear it. The black and the charcoal were seriously Halloween disco and the silver was pure shiny metal. Pretty, trendy, but not practical if you're me.

I really wanted a version of this look, but one that could actually work with my style and habits.there are several other smokey eye palettes on the market right now, and many, though shimmery, look more wearable than the Chanel (and they cost significantly less) with a better pigment/shimmer ratio. Worth checking: The Red Carpet Look or the Smoky eye quad from Stila, the Grey Eye from Du-Wop, Night Essence from Fresh and Guerlain L'Heure Fumee. I also took a good look at my already existing stash and realized I already have several black, charcoal, gray and silver eye shadows in various textures and finishes. I bet you have some, too (except you, Tom).

What I'm currently missing is a matte medium gray that can create the look for daytime. Bobbi Brown has exactly that: Slate (Steel also looks like a good option). I'd love to hear more suggestions.

Ten Fall Essentials

So what if the temperatures are in the 80s and the official start date of fall is the Equinox, September 23rd? These precious weeks of pre-season are good for planning our fall strategy. Colors, textures and scents. Here are the things that are making me forget that fall also means that it's about to get really really cold...

• Skinny black pants
  If you're going to wear a longer cardigan or a top with some volume, a pair of black stretchy pants is your friends. As long as it's butt friendly. 
• Lacy top
  Black, sexy and mysterious. Goes with jeans as well as with a pencil skirt.
• Berry/pink- a subtle approach
  Pink, purple and berry tone are all the rage. I can't wear most, so instead I go for a pop of the color in a more palatable black and grey top.
• Pencil skirt
  A classic. You need one.
• Gray basics and accessories
  Who said it was boring? And gray nail polish is probably the edgiest item this season. Chanel Kaleidoscope or OPI You Don't Know Jacques are probably the most interesting.
• Gray eye shadow
  You don't need to go all the way with a smoky eye, but a touch of gray on the lids works surprisingly well.
• Dark lips
  Not just for goths. Choose a color that works for you: burgundy and plum are quite easy to wear.
• Perfect skin
  Hopefully, we were all smart about skin protection during the summer. But extra TLC in the form of serums would do wonders. I'm still loving my old C booster from Remede but have been testing one from Chanel and there's a Guerlain sample on my shelf. And the new Secret de Vie serum just came out.
• Tea
  I've been on a chocolate tea kick for a while now. My new favorite is chocolate-mint. 
• Perfume
  Continuing the chocolate theme, Borneo 1834 from Serge Lutens is chocolate and  patchouli with a touch of tobacco, honey and camphor, to keep things interesting. Borneo 1834 is a Paris exclusive, but will be this year's limited edition export release. Coming soon to a Barneys near you.
  
  And a bonus one: The remake of the 1939 movie The Women is coming out September 12th. I'm a bit scared to see it what they've done to it, but won't be able to stay away. At least, we'll always have the classic.

1. Nanette Lepore lingerie lace top. $325 Neiman Marcus
2. M. Missoni double knit pants $295 Neiman Marcus
3. Stila Backstage Beauty Eye Shadow Palette - The Red Carpet Look $40 Sephora
4. Diane von Furstenberg Nadina blouse $198 Saks 5th Avenue
5. Serge Lutens Borneo 1834  €110 (the export edition is should be about $130)
6. Nars lip gloss Rose Gitane $24 Sephora
7. Diane von Furstenberg Cashmere Maia sweater $345 and wide leg Burnes pants $158.90
8. Chanel Kaleidoscope nail polish $20 Saks

Ten Fall Essentials

So what if the temperatures are in the 80s and the official start date of fall is the Equinox, September 23rd? These precious weeks of pre-season are good for planning our fall strategy. Colors, textures and scents. Here are the things that are making me forget that fall also means that it's about to get really really cold...

• Skinny black pants
  If you're going to wear a longer cardigan or a top with some volume, a pair of black stretchy pants is your friends. As long as it's butt friendly. 
• Lacy top
  Black, sexy and mysterious. Goes with jeans as well as with a pencil skirt.
• Berry/pink- a subtle approach
  Pink, purple and berry tone are all the rage. I can't wear most, so instead I go for a pop of the color in a more palatable black and grey top.
• Pencil skirt
  A classic. You need one.
• Gray basics and accessories
  Who said it was boring? And gray nail polish is probably the edgiest item this season. Chanel Kaleidoscope or OPI You Don't Know Jacques are probably the most interesting.
• Gray eye shadow
  You don't need to go all the way with a smoky eye, but a touch of gray on the lids works surprisingly well.
• Dark lips
  Not just for goths. Choose a color that works for you: burgundy and plum are quite easy to wear.
• Perfect skin
  Hopefully, we were all smart about skin protection during the summer. But extra TLC in the form of serums would do wonders. I'm still loving my old C booster from Remede but have been testing one from Chanel and there's a Guerlain sample on my shelf. And the new Secret de Vie serum just came out.
• Tea
  I've been on a chocolate tea kick for a while now. My new favorite is chocolate-mint. 
• Perfume
  Continuing the chocolate theme, Borneo 1834 from Serge Lutens is chocolate and  patchouli with a touch of tobacco, honey and camphor, to keep things interesting. Borneo 1834 is a Paris exclusive, but will be this year's limited edition export release. Coming soon to a Barneys near you.
  
  And a bonus one: The remake of the 1939 movie The Women is coming out September 12th. I'm a bit scared to see it what they've done to it, but won't be able to stay away. At least, we'll always have the classic.

1. Nanette Lepore lingerie lace top. $325 Neiman Marcus
2. M. Missoni double knit pants $295 Neiman Marcus
3. Stila Backstage Beauty Eye Shadow Palette - The Red Carpet Look $40 Sephora
4. Diane von Furstenberg Nadina blouse $198 Saks 5th Avenue
5. Serge Lutens Borneo 1834  €110 (the export edition is should be about $130)
6. Nars lip gloss Rose Gitane $24 Sephora
7. Diane von Furstenberg Cashmere Maia sweater $345 and wide leg Burnes pants $158.90
8. Chanel Kaleidoscope nail polish $20 Saks

Ten Fall Essentials

So what if the temperatures are in the 80s and the official start date of fall is the Equinox, September 23rd? These precious weeks of pre-season are good for planning our fall strategy. Colors, textures and scents. Here are the things that are making me forget that fall also means that it's about to get really really cold...

• Skinny black pants
  If you're going to wear a longer cardigan or a top with some volume, a pair of black stretchy pants is your friends. As long as it's butt friendly. 
• Lacy top
  Black, sexy and mysterious. Goes with jeans as well as with a pencil skirt.
• Berry/pink- a subtle approach
  Pink, purple and berry tone are all the rage. I can't wear most, so instead I go for a pop of the color in a more palatable black and grey top.
• Pencil skirt
  A classic. You need one.
• Gray basics and accessories
  Who said it was boring? And gray nail polish is probably the edgiest item this season. Chanel Kaleidoscope or OPI You Don't Know Jacques are probably the most interesting.
• Gray eye shadow
  You don't need to go all the way with a smoky eye, but a touch of gray on the lids works surprisingly well.
• Dark lips
  Not just for goths. Choose a color that works for you: burgundy and plum are quite easy to wear.
• Perfect skin
  Hopefully, we were all smart about skin protection during the summer. But extra TLC in the form of serums would do wonders. I'm still loving my old C booster from Remede but have been testing one from Chanel and there's a Guerlain sample on my shelf. And the new Secret de Vie serum just came out.
• Tea
  I've been on a chocolate tea kick for a while now. My new favorite is chocolate-mint. 
• Perfume
  Continuing the chocolate theme, Borneo 1834 from Serge Lutens is chocolate and  patchouli with a touch of tobacco, honey and camphor, to keep things interesting. Borneo 1834 is a Paris exclusive, but will be this year's limited edition export release. Coming soon to a Barneys near you.
  
  And a bonus one: The remake of the 1939 movie The Women is coming out September 12th. I'm a bit scared to see it what they've done to it, but won't be able to stay away. At least, we'll always have the classic.

1. Nanette Lepore lingerie lace top. $325 Neiman Marcus
2. M. Missoni double knit pants $295 Neiman Marcus
3. Stila Backstage Beauty Eye Shadow Palette - The Red Carpet Look $40 Sephora
4. Diane von Furstenberg Nadina blouse $198 Saks 5th Avenue
5. Serge Lutens Borneo 1834  €110 (the export edition is should be about $130)
6. Nars lip gloss Rose Gitane $24 Sephora
7. Diane von Furstenberg Cashmere Maia sweater $345 and wide leg Burnes pants $158.90
8. Chanel Kaleidoscope nail polish $20 Saks

The Color Of French Lingerie: OPI Ticle My France (Fall 2008)

I'm not ready for summer to be over. But there's something about fall collections, fall fashion and September editions of all the magazines that even I find exciting. OPI took it to the max with their fall/winter La Collection De France, which (unlike the one from Essie I've blogged about yesterday) is different and inspired and very evocative of an urban winter.

But before I start applying the more unique grays and purples that still look out of place in the last days of August, I chose the lightest and most subtle polish in that collection to carry me until after Labor Day (and probably later. This is a fabulous neutral that is always appropriate).

Tickle Me France is is a muted mauve, almost nude, that's both elegant and sexy. It's the color of exquisitely made, über-French undergarments. While this won't be the talk of the town like a couple of others in the collection, I'll probably wear it more often.

OPI nail polish is available from nail salons all over the US. I bought mine online through Amazon.

Photos: mine. Models: Kosh and Tulip.

The Color Of French Lingerie: OPI Ticle My France (Fall 2008)

I'm not ready for summer to be over. But there's something about fall collections, fall fashion and September editions of all the magazines that even I find exciting. OPI took it to the max with their fall/winter La Collection De France, which (unlike the one from Essie I've blogged about yesterday) is different and inspired and very evocative of an urban winter.

But before I start applying the more unique grays and purples that still look out of place in the last days of August, I chose the lightest and most subtle polish in that collection to carry me until after Labor Day (and probably later. This is a fabulous neutral that is always appropriate).

Tickle Me France is is a muted mauve, almost nude, that's both elegant and sexy. It's the color of exquisitely made, über-French undergarments. While this won't be the talk of the town like a couple of others in the collection, I'll probably wear it more often.

OPI nail polish is available from nail salons all over the US. I bought mine online through Amazon.

Photos: mine. Models: Kosh and Tulip.

The Color Of French Lingerie: OPI Ticle My France (Fall 2008)

I'm not ready for summer to be over. But there's something about fall collections, fall fashion and September editions of all the magazines that even I find exciting. OPI took it to the max with their fall/winter La Collection De France, which (unlike the one from Essie I've blogged about yesterday) is different and inspired and very evocative of an urban winter.

But before I start applying the more unique grays and purples that still look out of place in the last days of August, I chose the lightest and most subtle polish in that collection to carry me until after Labor Day (and probably later. This is a fabulous neutral that is always appropriate).

Tickle Me France is is a muted mauve, almost nude, that's both elegant and sexy. It's the color of exquisitely made, über-French undergarments. While this won't be the talk of the town like a couple of others in the collection, I'll probably wear it more often.

OPI nail polish is available from nail salons all over the US. I bought mine online through Amazon.

Photos: mine. Models: Kosh and Tulip.

Essie Nail Polish Fall Collection

There are several innovative new nail polish collections for fall, but the one from Essie is not one of them. Don't get me wrong: it's very pretty, the quality is great, they all have a nice glossy finish and look great. The colors are very classic and would be a great addition to the permanent line instead of a limited seasonal edition. Who doesn't need great reds and rich pinks?

But compared to other offerings this season, the Essie collection is just not inspired enough to get one excited about fall colors. I got the mini pack that contains Forever Young, Lacy Not Racy, No Boundaries and Tomboy No More (I wish every company would sell a mini version of every collection. It's the best deal) to replace some old bottles of classic reds and pinks that are way past their prime, and a regular size bottle of Swept off My Feet which is a beautiful warm rose because I recently ran out of a similar color from Lippmann Collection and couldn't be bothered to pay $15 for a new one.

Not that every color needs to be a bold fashion statement and I'm a big advocate of classic looks, it's just when I'm looking at seasonal special editions I want to be surprised and excited and not to feel like I've seen it all before.

Essie nail polish is available locally at many nail salons and from Essie.com. The mini pack of four color retails for $18 and a regular size bottle is $8.

All photos are mine.

Essie Nail Polish Fall Collection

There are several innovative new nail polish collections for fall, but the one from Essie is not one of them. Don't get me wrong: it's very pretty, the quality is great, they all have a nice glossy finish and look great. The colors are very classic and would be a great addition to the permanent line instead of a limited seasonal edition. Who doesn't need great reds and rich pinks?

But compared to other offerings this season, the Essie collection is just not inspired enough to get one excited about fall colors. I got the mini pack that contains Forever Young, Lacy Not Racy, No Boundaries and Tomboy No More (I wish every company would sell a mini version of every collection. It's the best deal) to replace some old bottles of classic reds and pinks that are way past their prime, and a regular size bottle of Swept off My Feet which is a beautiful warm rose because I recently ran out of a similar color from Lippmann Collection and couldn't be bothered to pay $15 for a new one.

Not that every color needs to be a bold fashion statement and I'm a big advocate of classic looks, it's just when I'm looking at seasonal special editions I want to be surprised and excited and not to feel like I've seen it all before.

Essie nail polish is available locally at many nail salons and from Essie.com. The mini pack of four color retails for $18 and a regular size bottle is $8.

All photos are mine.